Mária Szilvási-Takács

HR Background Screening Specialist at Citibank| Master's in Human Resources Counselling

Hungary

About

Throughout my life, I have been passionate about well-being, quality of life, health, leisure, and the impact of these on both personal and professional environments. During my university years, I grew not only physically but also mentally. I learned to be persistent and work effectively in teams. I have organized several projects focused on promoting lifestyle changes, reducing workplace stress, and fostering a balanced, joyful life. These experiences allowed me to develop key skills such as logical thinking, quick decision-making, team leadership, and recognizing others' expertise. For the past 2.5 years, I have been working in the HR sector, as part of the Background Screening team. In this role, I’ve gained valuable experience in evaluating and verifying candidate backgrounds to ensure the right talent is brought into the organization. My work has enhanced my skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and collaboration across different HR functions, ensuring a seamless recruitment process and helping to build a strong, capable workforce. In my free time, I focus on activities that recharge me, such as yoga, outdoor adventures, and reading, all of which contribute to maintaining my high energy and positive mindset. As I continue to grow professionally, I am looking for opportunities that challenge me in various situations and allow me to further develop my skills, particularly in the areas of talent acquisition and workforce intelligence.

Experience

  • Background screening specialist / Recruiting analyst at Citi
    May 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

    As a Background Screening Analyst, I am responsible for ensuring that all background screening processes align with our Global Policy requirements. I work closely with stakeholders across the organization to guarantee compliance and accuracy throughout the screening process. Collaborating with the Onboarding team and other HR teams, I help facilitate a seamless hiring experience for new employees. My role involves analyzing final reports on candidates and reaching out to employees when additional supporting documents are required. I utilize systems such as Workday and ServiceNow to manage and oversee the entire administration of the screening process, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. Additionally, I handle shared mailboxes and provide support to candidates, employees, recruiters, and recruiting coordinators, addressing their inquiries and assisting them throughout the screening process. Beyond daily operations, I actively contribute to projects, including a dedicated initiative where I oversee sanction checks for candidates. Given that we conduct background screening for candidates across the EMEA region—covering more than 30 countries—I navigate complex regulatory environments to ensure compliance in diverse jurisdictions. In addition to pre-employment screenings, we also manage rescreening processes to ensure ongoing compliance with company policies. Another key aspect of my role is managing escalations, particularly when a major discrepancy arises during the screening process. In such cases, I ensure that appropriate escalation procedures are followed and oversee the resolution of these issues in a timely and effective manner. Additionally, we provide a concierge-level service for senior executives, offering them a higher level of attention and support to ensure their screening process is completed smoothly and on time. This personalized approach helps us meet tight deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and confidentiality.

  • Business Administrator at Medtronic
    Nov 2021 - Apr 2022 · 6 mos

    Between November 2021 and April 2022, I worked as a Business Administrator at Medtronic Hungária Kft. (JOB Kft.), where I was responsible for supporting financial and administrative processes. My role primarily involved reviewing incoming invoices and ensuring accurate data entry into the BÉVER system. In addition to handling invoice processing, I was responsible for preparing weekly financial statements and generating reports to support financial tracking and decision-making. By maintaining accuracy and efficiency in financial administration, I contributed to the smooth operation of daily business processes. This experience allowed me to develop a strong understanding of financial administration, data management, and reporting while working in a structured, process-driven environment.

  • Special student assistant at University of Physical Education Hungary
    Jun 2020 - Oct 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    From August 2020 to August 2021, I worked as a Special Student Administrator at the University of Physical Education’s Alumni, Career, and Special Student Services Office (AKSI). In this role, I supported university students with disabilities by assisting them with administrative processes and ensuring they received the necessary exemptions and support in line with legal regulations. One of my key responsibilities was managing the exemption process for students who were not required to complete a language exam to obtain their diploma. Additionally, I handled requests for subject exemptions when students were unable to meet course requirements due to their disabilities. I also provided administrative support to the Board of Students with Disabilities, helping to facilitate meetings and documentation. This experience allowed me to develop a strong understanding of student support services, legal regulations in higher education, and administrative coordination in an inclusive academic environment.